KLAUS JANSON SIGNS EXCLUSIVE WITH MARVEL

[MattBrady]

Press Release (inks on images by Janson)

Born in Germany and having transplanted himself to the US in the late 50s, artist Klaus Janson may never have truly realized the extent to which a career in comic books would take him. His list of projects tackled, creators collaborated with, and characters creatively captured is one that few other four-color illustrators could ever hope to compile.

And now the distinctive inker and penciller has sketched up an exclusive deal with the House of Ideas, Marvel Comics.

Janson first worked for Marvel in 1973 on Black Panther, moving from there onto inks over Sal Buscema on THE DEFENDERS. His professional path from that point on diverged into many diverse and creative courses. When asked what he himself considers his past work that he’s most proud of, Janson promptly responded with “GOTHIC with Grant Morrison, BATMAN BLACK & WHITE, DAREDEVIL with Frank Miller, BATMAN: DEATH & THE MAIDENS, PUNISHER, and any job with John Romita, Jr.”

He may be most well-known for inking the award-winning BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS in 1986.

“Klaus’ pedrigee is the kind that other artists drool over,” notes Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief. “He’s been playing with our characters longer than some of us have been on this Earth, and he knows ‘em inside and out. Any wonder why we want him here? Klaus should feel as if Marvel is his home…’cause it is!”

Although he has worked on many Marvel heroes and villains, Janson is still able to pinpoint a handful that particularly capture his artistic eye. “Silver Surfer is a really great visual,” he reflects. “I love the Inhumans, all the Spider-Man villains are great, Captain America, the late (sob) Vision…”

And at the end of the day, and with his new excusivity tucked firmly under his belt, Janson is also able to bulls-eye exactly what attracted him to signing with the House of Ideas. “I really have a lot of faith and confidence in the direction that Marvel is going and am looking forward to the ride.”

New projects with Marvel will be announced soon but the prolific creator did report that he’ll be doing a mix of inking, pencilling, and writing.

[Blind Assassin]

hey now, congrats!

[tesh_karde]

yea, way to go man!

[Casey Jones]

Excellent news! Klaus's book on inking comics is the greatest thing ever. It's one of the most helpful artbooks I've ever owned. I'm glad to know I'll get to see him inking JR for a long time to come... and hopefully some other lucky pencillers, too.

-Casey

[matthewstarnes]

Janson is the man.
Way to go.
Janson's inks rock but his pencils are also pretty darn cool.

[punk_love]

Wow. Great to see a creator who has been at it for so long getting some respect and a good deal to work under.


His "Gothic" arc in LOTDK with Morrison from way back when is still a personal favorite of mine.

[lex luthor]

This is all fine and dandy but is Marvel really going to let Janson pencil anything? Just a thought.

Edit By the way, I think Janson is a phenomenal penciller. Except for his inks, he never got any props for his work so I'm happy Marvel stepped up with this contract.

[tralfaz]

did miller and janson have a falling out? i cant remember if they did because Janson was what was missing from DKSA

[Jed Saxon]

Brilliant move, Marvel!
Next to Terry Austin, Mark Morales and Tim Townsend one of the best inkers to walk this planet!

[BaronSamedi]

I love this guy's stuff. So viseral. Anyone remember that 80s series "St. George"? Awesome stuff.

[Punchy]

Cool, i always liked Jansons Inking and Pencilling, that gothic story mentioned was great, as was 'death and the maidens' Janson returning to DD perhaps?

[BillReed]

He's one of the best inkers in the biz, easily. I'm glad they've given him a contract.

[andy smith]

Sweet news! I had the pleasure of Klaus inking me once and he did an AWESOME job!

I hope to see him penciling and inking his own work at Marvel too!

[BlackDog]

Janson is extremely talented and Marvel made a good catch there. I can see the following characters being perfect for his dark and gritty style...

Daredevil
MoonKnight
Ghost Rider
The Punisher

[ejulp]

yes
his gothic work
was gorgeous

i wonder if he'll be a replacement on
daredevil
or work on
a thor project

thats what i see him doing
best

[Los' the Red]

Originally posted by Punchy
Janson returning to DD perhaps?

An excellent idea! Bendis did say the new creative team would be A-list. As far as artwork goes, Janson is definately A-list!

[matchesmalone]

It seems that with Death and the Maidens, Klaus Janson finally learned how to draw human anatomy. It looked very good, in contrast to some of his earlier pencilling jobs.

[TheMightyGeek]

Wow. I'm finding this personally ironic due to the fact I just finished reading the DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics by Klaus Janson. Really enjoyed and learned from it.

DC just got a slap in the face.

[paulski]

Considering how little I care for Janson's work, I'm surprised to see all the love for him.

Each to their own, but I have always utterly hated whenever he's been on a comic I've picked up.

[OM]

Originally posted by paulski
Considering how little I care for Janson's work, I'm surprised to see all the love for him.

...The only thing I've ever had against Klaus was the fact that Walt Simonson won't sell me the original art for Battlestar Galactic #24's last page, because he's holding it for Klaus should he ever want it :-(

[lex luthor]

Originally posted by matchesmalone
It seems that with Death and the Maidens, Klaus Janson finally learned how to draw human anatomy. It looked very good, in contrast to some of his earlier pencilling jobs.

Check out his run on The Punisher (# 1-5) from the late '80's. In my opinion Janson's definitve work.

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

klaus...man, been a fan since day one..and still am. brilliant artist all around. death and the maiden shows this..hope they give him his own series to draw...congrats marvel...you got a great one here.

Jimmy

[Gordon McAlpin]

Originally posted by tralfaz
did miller and janson have a falling out? i cant remember if they did because Janson was what was missing from DKSA

I don't believe so -- Frankyboy just likes to ink all his own work now is all.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally posted by Los' the Red
An excellent idea! Bendis did say the new creative team would be A-list. As far as artwork goes, Janson is definately A-list!

I disagree about Janson being "A-List". I don't think a title's sales would increase because he's the artist on it...

Be that as it may, congratulations to Janson for this deal. He does deserve it.

[Kolimar]

Good news.